Matty Johns podcast: Jason Taumalolo an Immortal in the making
In his brand new podcast, Matty Johns says Jason Taumalolo has all the makings of a future Immortal and says Gareth Widdop is out of position at fullback. LISTEN NOW.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rugby league great Matty Johns has declared North Queensland wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo a future Immortal.
The 25-year-old arguably hasn’t reached the prime of his career, but in the brand new Matty Johns Podcast, Johns says the star lock is on track to join the game’s elite echelon of players.
The conversation was sparked following Taumalolo’s incredible 301 metre effort in his side’s season opening victory over St George Illawarra, in the process breaking his own single game record by an NRL forward.
LISTEN NOW! The Matty Johns podcast is now live. He is joined by Paul Kent and James Hooper to debate the big issues including Taumalolo’s impact, the Dragons’ big Widdop problem and to tell some hilarious war stories.
Since becoming the Cowboys’ youngest ever debutant just two months after his 17th birthday during the 2010 season, Taumalolo has won a premiership, reached two grand finals and claimed a Dally M medal.
On the international stage, his defection from New Zealand to Tonga set the path for the stars of many minnow nations to pledge allegiance to their native country.
Taumalolo also spearheaded Mate Ma’a to a historic first ever victory over New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup.
It was the first time a tier-two nation had defeated a team in rugby league’s top tier.
It’s Taumalolo’s impact on the game that has given Johns the belief that Taumalolo will join the likes of Arthur Beetson, John Raper and Norm Provan as the only forwards to be named as Immortals.
“I’m going to say yes. I’ll tell you what he’s still getting better too, that’s the thing,” he said on the podcast.
“Let’s have a look at what he’s done in the international game in the last two years, just totally revitalised it.
“For me Taumalolo is changing the game, he really is changing the game.”
There are currently 13 members of the Immortals following the recent inductions of Provan, Mal Meninga, Dally Messenger, Dave Brown and Frank Burge.
The game will induct a minimum of one and maximum of two new members every four years, with the committee to meet again in 2022.
Guest Paul Kent disagreed with Johns, believing the rigours of the NRL would take their toll on the 117kg forward as his career propels towards its end.
“No (he won’t be an Immortal). He’s 25 now, so first off longevity’s vital to become an Immortal,” Kent told the podcast.
“Playing the game that he plays, the role that he plays, it’s going to be hard to get. Is he going to be as devastating at 31, 32?”
Kent did manage to slightly change his tune, admitting that Taumalolo’s impact on the game placed him in future discussions.
“That (changing the game) to me should be one of the criteria for the Immortals,” he said.
“All the Immortals all the way have been able to do things that you can’t coach or that everybody following them tried to do.
“But having said that, I don’t know if you can go out and do what Taumalolo does, you can’t coach that. He is just a freakish physical specimen.”
Originally published as Matty Johns podcast: Jason Taumalolo an Immortal in the making
‘Bit of feeling’ in heated NRL preseason upset
Raiders fans would have loved what they saw from Ethan Sanders as the youngster steered his side to an encouraging win over Penrith.
SuperCoach trial scores: Cheapie emerges as Raiders star steals the show
A cheapie has emerged in Canberra after scoring two tries in three minutes, while the battle for the backline spots at the Panthers and Raiders continues. See all the week one Pre-Season Challenge SuperCoach scores.